Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2
1827-12-10
Returned to town with Mr. Brooks. Went to George’s Office1 and had much conversation with him. If this change has no other good effect, it may save him, and this is worth the fall. Received a high souled letter from my Father which did me good. Read the last paragraph for George’s benefit.2 The remainder of the day, I was occupied in making up my case for Court which was held in the evening. I argued it to the best of my ability.3 After it, Richardson and I went and had a little Supper of Oysters. Weather still very bad.
GWA’s office was at 23 Court Street. See JA, Diary and Autobiography
, 2:63–64.
JQA wrote that in the trials ahead he would “feel and fear little for himself so long as he can rely upon the good conduct of his children” (JQA to CFA, 2 Dec. 1827, Adams Papers).
CFA’s moot court case concerned the right of an enemy alien to sue in the courts of the United States. Holding that there was no such right, he was unable to convince any of the judges, and afterwards he discovered that Chancellor James Kent had “decided the question against me on my own law and authorities” (CFA to JQA, 25 Dec. 1827, Adams Papers; CFA, Law Miscellanies, M/CFA/17, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 311).